Research Interests

Developmental Neurobiology, Evolutionary Psychology

Environmental influences on drug use and addiction

Effects of nicotine on the brain and behavior throughout development

Evolution of mating preferences

In addition to teaching, Dr. Pearce conducts research in the Arkansas Biosciences Institute. With the help of student researchers, she examines the impact of oral nicotine on behavior and physiology in nonhumans. Recent studies show there is a strong, positive relationship between the amount of oral nicotine available in the environment and ingestion of oral nicotine by female rats. She is currently exploring changes in nicotine’s metabolic pathway associated with chronic consumption of the drug.